Printed Circuit Boards _ What & Why - Miracle Electronics
Printed Circuit Boards (or PCBs) are seen in almost every electronic device – that small green board with tiny black and golden components and connections. These tiny boards are capable of supplying electrical signals by connecting all the mounted electronic components together.
There are a variety of PCBs available in the market, which can be selected depending upon the application it needs to be used in, and the purpose it needs to serve. Some of the most common PCBs seen are single-sided, double-sided , through-hole, and surface-mount. Let’s take a look at the types of PCBs and their applications below.
Types of PCBs
Single-sided PCBs
A single-sided PCB is the most basic type, which consists of a flat sheet of insulating material and a layer of copper foil laminated to the substrate. The copper is etched to divide it into separate conducting lines called traces. Then, there are all sorts of connections and electromagnetic shielding made possible with the help of insulated wires. The copper layer is finally coated to reduce the chances of shorts and prevent it from corrosion.
Double-sided PCBs
These PCBs are just like single-sided boards, but with copper layers and components on both sides of the substrate layer , which allows the traces to cross over each other. This results in high-density complex circuits that are more difficult to produce. Double-sided PCBs can have their components connected using two technologies – through hole and surface mount. But, both these technologies come with their own benefits and limitations.
Through-hole PCBs
This is the most basic technology that has been used since initial times to produce PCBs, wherein the electronic components are mounted by leads inserted through holes on one side of the board, and soldered onto the copper traces on the other side. The leads are bent at 90 degrees to horizontally install the through-hole parts with two axial leads, inserted into the board, soldered, and trimmed off at the ends. The through-hole technology requires many holes to be drilled, limiting the available routing area for signal traces.
Surface-mount PCBs
Surface-mount technology came after the through-hole technology to enable mounting of very small-sized components on the board, with small metal tabs or end caps that can be soldered directly onto the PCB surface, instead of wire leads passing through holes. With this technology, it became possible to mount components on both sides of the board easily; thus allowing very small PCB assemblies with much higher circuit densities. The technology is also automated, which reduces time and costs related to manual labour, thus increasing production rates.
Applications of PCBs
Electronic devices – PCBs are highly used in electronic devices, providing channels and pathways for electricity and signals to follow, thus allowing functioning of the device.
Computers – PCBs are very popularly seen in motherboards of computers, which makes complex functions possible too.
Medical devices – PCBs can help in the medical industry by performing a variety of functions like diagnosing, monitoring, and treatment. For instance, PCBs are used in the medical field in equipment like medical imaging systems, monitors, and infusion pumps. However, the PCBs to be used in medical devices should strictly comply to stringent standards for sanitation and functionality.
Automotive components – Automotive components need to withstand extreme temperatures and vibrations; and with the advancement of technologies, PCBs are not limited to windshield wipers and headlight switches only; rather they are also used in many other automotive components like control systems, stereo systems, navigation systems, and sensors.
Aerospace and military components – PCBs are also used in the most critical applications like aerospace and military. In the aerospace industry, PCBs are used in planes, satellites, space shuttles, and radio communication systems. And, in the military industry, PCBs are used in communication equipment, control systems in military vehicles, firearms, and more.
No matter what the application, you can always get the most appropriate PCB assembly for your equipment. And, when you’re looking for perfect products, you can always opt for Miracle Electronics’ customized solutions to get seamless PCB assembly manufacturing from India.
